Cuckoo in Vietnam

The difference between the Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo and the Large Hawk-Cuckoo:

1/ Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo

- Smaller size, shorter tail in comparison with the body;

- Patterned back with warm coloration (reddish brown);

- Not well-defined streaks on the underparts;

2/ Large Hawk-Cuckoo

- Bigger size and longer tail compared to the body;

- Plain dark brown back (adult) or patterned back with gray and dark colors (juvenile), not warm coloration (juvenile);

- Well-defined, clear streaks on the breast and/or underparts;

The Indian Cuckoo, the Common Cuckoo and the Oriental Cuckoo all may have a gray head, bill with yellow color to the base, yellow legs which make them very hard to be identified in the wild. They have distinctive sounds but we do not hear their songs and calls that often.